Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments

In Willpower, pioneering research psychologist Roy F. Baumeister collaborates with New YorkTimes science writer John Tierney to revolutionize our understanding of the most coveted human virtue: self-control. Drawing on cutting-edge research and the wisdom of real-life experts, Willpower shares lessons for how to focus our strength and redirect our lives.

In what became one of the most cited papers in social science literature, Baumeister discovered that willpower in fact has a physical basis and operates like a muscle: it can be strengthened with practice and fatigued by overuse. Willpower is fueled by glucose, and it can be bolstered simply by replenishing the brain’s store of fuel. That’s why eating and sleeping—and especially failing to do either of those—have such dramatic effects on self-control (and why dieters have such a hard time resisting temptation).

Yet while there are natural limits to our self-control, these boundaries can be manipulated. We can build our willpower endurance, and Willpower draws lessons from the lab as well as the lives of entrepreneurs, parents, entertainers, and artists —including David Blaine, Amanda Palmer, Drew Carey, Eric Clapton, Mary Karr, and Oprah Winfrey. Willpower explains how to set realistic goals (there really is a science to the to-list list), how to monitor your progress (so that you can reward yourself often), and how to keep faith even when you falter. Once you establish the right habits, and find the techniques that work for you, willpower gets easier: you’ll need less conscious mental energy to avoid temptation. That’s neither magic nor empty self-help sloganeering, but rather a solid path to a better life.

In today’s digital world, where temptation is never more than a click away, it can feel as if self-control is under constant siege. But, as Willpower shows, we also have more knowledge and better tools for taking control of our lives. We can outsource the task to new technologies and social networks that will monitor our money, our weight, and just about anything else that concerns us. By blending practical wisdom with the best of research science, Willpower makes clear that whatever we seek—a close-knit family, a satisfying career, financial security, good health, the freedom to pursue our passions — we won’t reach our goals without first learning to harness self-control.

Review

"Willpower, or self-control, is one of the keys to success, says Baumeister (director of Florida State University's social psychology program) and New York Times science writer Tierney. They review the latest research to report key findings on willpower: for instance, each of us has a finite supply of it and deplete it whenever we draw on it, whether at work or at home, but it can be developed and strengthened. Further, decision making in particular saps that supply, but it's possible to do willpower exercises to gain self-control over all sorts of bad behavior, from overeating to physical violence; willpower exercises have been shown to work with domestic abusers, for example. At several points throughout the book, and in a concluding chapter, the authors offer practical advice for increasing willpower, not much of which is new (for instance, setting realistic goals in dieting), but all of which bears repeating. Baumeister and Tierney have produced a very fine work  clear and succinct, based on solid research, and with good anecdotal material about magician/performance artist David Blaine, singer Eric Clapton, and writers Anthony Trollope and Raymond Chandler, among others. This should prove helpful for those who are trying to make and keep resolutions. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Review

"The psychologist Roy F. Baumeister has shown that the force metaphor has a kernel of neurobiological reality. In Willpower, he has teamed up with the irreverent New York Times science columnist John Tierney to explain this ingenious research and show how it can enhance our lives. . . . Willpower is an immensely rewarding book, filled with ingenious research, wise advice and insightful reflections on the human condition."

-Steven Pinker, the Harvard psychologist, writing in The New York Times Book Review

"Willpower is sure to inspire further groundbreaking research into the mechanics of willpower. One implication is already apparent. Since repeated behaviors eventually turn into habits, improving willpower long term requires a unique strategy-a habit of changing habits, of continually expanding our zones of comfort. One such practice, it seems, is the 'routine' of learning. That's a habit that this brilliant book will certainly nourish."

-Jamie Holmes, The Daily Beast

"An accessible, empirically grounded guide to willpower and how best to deploy it to overcome temptation."

-Wall Street Journal

"Thought provoking."

-Associated Press

"Willpower (the thing) lies at the curious intersection of science and behavior. Willpower (the book) lies at the intersection of Roy Baumeister, an extraordinarily creative scientist, and John Tierney, a phenomenally perceptive journalist. Ignore it at your peril."

-Stephen J. Dubner, coauthor of Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics

"Willpower affects almost every aspect of our lives. From procrastination, to saving for retirement to exercising, Tierney and Baumeister have given us a wonderful book in which they not only share fascinating research on the subject but also provide simple tricks to help us tap into this important quality."

-Dan Ariely, Duke University, author of Predictably Irrational

"Deep and provocative analysis of people's battle with temptation and masterful insights into understanding willpower: why we have it, why we don't, and how to build it. A terrific read."

-Ravi Dhar, Yale School of Management, Director of Center for Customer Insights

"Willpower is sinfully delicious - once you start reading, you won't be able to stop. A fascinating account of the exciting new science of self-control, told by the scientist who made it happen and the journalist who made it news."

-Daniel Gilbert, Harvard University, author of Stumbling On Happiness, Host of the PBS television series, This Emotional Life

"This is a manual from heaven for anyone who has ever wanted to lose weight, stop smoking, drink less, work more efficiently and more intelligently. An astonishingly good - and accessible - inquiry into one of the more elusive areas of human psychology: why we go on thwarting ourselves when we really know better. On top of that, Willpower is a vastly entertaining book, full of fascinating stories about the complexities of our evolutionarily-wired brains. A brilliant accomplishment, at every level."

-Christopher Buckley, author Thank You for Smoking and Losing Mum and Pup

"Who knew that a book about such a daunting topic could be as wonderfully entertaining as it is enlightening! Tierney and Baumeister have produced a highly intelligent work full of fascinating information (and great advice) about a core element of modern living. Bravo."

-David Allen, author of Getting Things Done and Making It All Work

"Will, willpower, and mental energy have been shunned by modern psychology. Roy Baumeister, the most distinguished experimental social psychologist in the world, and John Tierney, a renowned journalist, have teamed up to put Will back into its rightful center stage place. This little masterpiece is a must read for all of us who want to exercise, diet, manage our time, be thrifty, and resist temptation."

-Martin Seligman, University of Pennsylvania, former president of American Psychological Association, author of Authentic Happiness and Flourish

Review

"The psychologist Roy F. Baumeister has shown that the force metaphor has a kernel of neurobiological reality. In Willpower, he has teamed up with the irreverent New York Times science columnist John Tierney to explain this ingenious research and show how it can enhance our lives. . . . Willpower is an immensely rewarding book, filled with ingenious research, wise advice and insightful reflections on the human condition." Steven Pinker, THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

Review

"Willpower is sure to inspire further groundbreaking research into the mechanics of willpower. One implication is already apparent. Since repeated behaviors eventually turn into habits, improving willpower long term requires a unique strategy-a habit of changing habits, of continually expanding our zones of comfort. One such practice, it seems, is the 'routine' of learning. That's a habit that this brilliant book will certainly nourish." THE DAILY BEAST

Review

"An accessible, empirically grounded guide to willpower and how best to deploy it to overcome temptation." THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Review

"Thought provoking." -Associated Press

Review

"Willpower (the thing) lies at the curious intersection of science and behavior. Willpower (the book) lies at the intersection of Roy Baumeister, an extraordinarily creative scientist, and John Tierney, a phenomenally perceptive journalist. Ignore it at your peril." Stephen J. Dubner, coauthor of FREAKONOMICS and SUPERFREAKONOMICS

Review

"Willpower affects almost every aspect of our lives. From procrastination, to saving for retirement to exercising, Tierney and Baumeister have given us a wonderful book in which they not only share fascinating research on the subject but also provide simple tricks to help us tap into this important quality." Dan Ariely, Duke University, author of PREDICTABLY IRRATIONAL

Review

"Deep and provocative analysis of people's battle with temptation and masterful insights into understanding willpower: why we have it, why we don't, and how to build it. A terrific read." Ravi Dhar, Yale School of Management, Director of Center for Customer Insights

Review

"Willpower is sinfully delicious - once you start reading, you won't be able to stop. A fascinating account of the exciting new science of self-control, told by the scientist who made it happen and the journalist who made it news." Daniel Gilbert, Harvard University, author of STUMBLING ON HAPPINESS

Review

"This is a manual from heaven for anyone who has ever wanted to lose weight, stop smoking, drink less, work more efficiently and more intelligently. An astonishingly good - and accessible - inquiry into one of the more elusive areas of human psychology: why we go on thwarting ourselves when we really know better. On top of that, Willpower is a vastly entertaining book, full of fascinating stories about the complexities of our evolutionarily-wired brains. A brilliant accomplishment, at every level." Christopher Buckley, author of THANK YOU FOR SMOKING

Review

"Who knew that a book about such a daunting topic could be as wonderfully entertaining as it is enlightening! Tierney and Baumeister have produced a highly intelligent work full of fascinating information (and great advice) about a core element of modern living. Bravo." David Allen, author of GETTING THINGS DONE and MAKING IT WORK

Review

"Will, willpower, and mental energy have been shunned by modern psychology. Roy Baumeister, the most distinguished experimental social psychologist in the world, and John Tierney, a renowned journalist, have teamed up to put Will back into its rightful center stage place. This little masterpiece is a must read for all of us who want to exercise, diet, manage our time, be thrifty, and resist temptation." Martin Seligman, former president of American Psychological Association

Review

Review

“An accessible, empirically grounded guide to willpower and how best to deploy it to overcome temptation. ‘Willpower’ offers no shortage of helpful strategies to compensate for weakness of will”

Review

"Brilliant."

Review

“Baumeister and Tierney use their appealingly upbeat voice to explain the intricate call-and-response between the failure of self-control and its problematical results.”

KIRKUS REVIEWS

Review

"Brilliant."

THE DAILY BEAST

Review

"An accessible, empirically grounded guide to willpower and how best to deploy it to overcome temptation."

Review

“This book is outstanding . . . Dr. Schoen is unconventional, and so is this book. Ancient wisdom with new findings in brain research lead to a startling conclusion: What has allowed our species to survive is driving us crazy. There is something you can do about it—read this book, and follow its advice. Reading this book is like having a conversation with Dr. Schoen and that can change your life.”

—David Logan, Ph.D., New York Times #1 bestselling coauthor of Tribal Leadership and The Three Laws of Performance; professor, USC (University of Southern California), Marshall School of Business

“Dr. Marc Schoen knows what it takes to be resilient and healthy in these modern times. It is not, as some would have you believe, to replace feelings of pain and discomfort with feelings of safety and comfort, but rather to allow these seemingly incompatible feelings to sit side by side to inform and shape one another. Grounded in solid theory and evidence as well as engaging stories, including his own, this book is a must-read for anyone facing mysterious physical ailments.”

—Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D., author of Positivity and Love 2.0

“I know so well how easy it is to fall into the trap of using food, addictions, or other forms of avoidance as protection from my fears of being uncomfortable. Reading Dr. Schoens book was challenging. It felt so close to home—almost too close and personal in fact. Yet as I came to understand the message of this book, it became so much more obvious to me. This book is about the unavoidable—being uncomfortable. Dr. Schoens book offers a gift: how to successfully manage your discomfort and fears, and equally as important, how to use the discomfort in your life as a vehicle for empowerment.”

—Carnie Wilson, celebrity, singer, TV host, and author of Gut Feelings, Im Still Hungry and To Serve with Love

“Dr. Schoen puts his attention to the discomfort, disappointment, worry, and impatience that influence the quality of our lives profoundly but about which science and medicine are so often silent. He does a brilliant job of connecting brain research and our everyday coping strategies. Readers will find new ways of understanding and mobilizing the mind-body connection for stress management.”

“The essence of success is age old . . . Work Hard, Work Smart, and Manage Your Fear. Dr. Schoen has unlocked the essence of fear and discomfort management. This is a must-read for any human that has ever started or thought of starting their own business. A fast-paced impact treatise for everyone who wants to win!”

Synopsis

One of the world's most esteemed and influential psychologists, Roy F. Baumeister, teams with New York Times science writer John Tierney to reveal the secrets of self-control and how to master it.

In Willpower, the pioneering researcher Roy F. Baumeister collaborates with renowned New York Times science writer John Tierney to revolutionize our understanding of the most coveted human virtue: self-control.

In what became one of the most cited papers in social science literature, Baumeister discovered that willpower actually operates like a muscle: it can be strengthened with practice and fatigued by overuse. Willpower is fueled by glucose, and it can be bolstered simply by replenishing the brain's store of fuel. That's why eating and sleeping- and especially failing to do either of those-have such dramatic effects on self-control (and why dieters have such a hard time resisting temptation).

Baumeister's latest research shows that we typically spend four hours every day resisting temptation. No wonder people around the world rank a lack of self-control as their biggest weakness. Willpower looks to the lives of entrepreneurs, parents, entertainers, and artists-including David Blaine, Eric Clapton, and others-who have flourished by improving their self-control.

The lessons from their stories and psychologists' experiments can help anyone. You learn not only how to build willpower but also how to conserve it for crucial moments by setting the right goals and using the best new techniques for monitoring your progress. Once you master these techniques and establish the right habits, willpower gets easier: you'll need less conscious mental energy to avoid temptation. That's neither magic nor empty self-help sloganeering, but rather a solid path to a better life.

Combining the best of modern social science with practical wisdom, Baumeister and Tierney here share the definitive compendium of modern lessons in willpower. As our society has moved away from the virtues of thrift and self-denial, it often feels helpless because we face more temptations than ever. But we also have more knowledge and better tools for taking control of our lives. However we define happiness-a close- knit family, a satisfying career, financial security-we won't reach it without mastering self-control.

Synopsis

Pioneering research psychologist Roy F. Baumeister collaborates with New York Times science writer John Tierney to revolutionize our understanding of the most coveted human virtue: self-control. Drawing on cutting-edge research and the wisdom of real-life experts, Willpower shares lessons on how to focus our strength, resist temptation, and redirect our lives. It shows readers how to be realistic when setting goals, monitor their progress, and how to keep faith when they falter. By blending practical wisdom with the best of recent research science, Willpower makes it clear that whatever we seek—from happiness to good health to financial security—we won’t reach our goals without first learning to harness self-control.

Synopsis

To ensure our survival, the human brain evolved to react to immediate physical danger. In todays world we are more comfortable than ever, yet we still find ourselves at the mercy of this ancient fear response. Though mild discomforts such as getting stuck in traffic or dealing with conflict are not real threats to our survival, they trigger the brains fight-or-flight fear reaction, causing addictions, overeating, insomnia, phobias, and rapid aging. Dr. Marc Schoen offers eye-opening insights and practical strategies for improving every aspect of our lives.

About the Author

Roy F. Baumeister directs the social psychology program at Florida State University. He has written for more than 450 scientific publications and consistently ranks among the world's most frequently cited psychologists. This is his twenty-eighth book.

John Tierney writes the "Findings" science column for the New York Times. His writing has won awards from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Physics. This is his third book.

4.52

What Our Readers Are Saying

Average customer rating 4.5 (2 comments)

One does not expect that a nonfiction book on the topic of "Willpower" will be a page turner - but "Willpower" is. The authors with their expertise and ability to make a dull subject interesting have done a remarkable job of explaining how to attain self-control. They do this by giving examples of tests in controlled environments which make their point clear.

This book helped me understand why a person in crisis can have trouble making more than one decision a day.
Even if you aren't in crisis you can learn to make better decisions by reading this book. The "willpower" in this book is really the power or energy to make choices. It is an easy read yet a substantive read. If you are interested in how to set your self up for better decision making - whether it's project planning at work or ways to help yourself meet personal goals - I recommend this book.